I have a Chevy malibu 2018 and I commute to work 5 days a week 1 1/2 hours each way. During my commute without warning, a light came on indicating "engine power is reduced", the engine light, as well as the car slippery road sign. I have an appointment at mearle stone Chevrolet in hopes this known problem in the 2018 models gets fixed without paying out of pocket expenses since there has been a…
2018 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
moderate 92 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
92
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 92 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 92 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 18 model years of Chevrolet Malibu in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
When driving the car it will lose propulsion and power. At one point it almost shut off while driving on the highway. I took the car for inspection to Chevrolet dealer but I was told they will take weeks to find the exact issue. It also has a safety recall which wasn't performed during my appointment. I was told to come back if I see engine light without it they can't do much. I use my car every…
While driving, the message 'engine power is reduced' appeared. My car slowed down and I had to press really hard on the gas pedal to get back up to the speed I was at. It is said to be a defective electronic throttle control and accelerator pedal position sensor. This problem is common in many of the 2016-2018 Chevy malibu's. *bf
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 92 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 45 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 27,462 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 39,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,462; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.